Huskers Add Five Bids for NCAA Championships

Austin, Texas – The Nebraska track and field team weathered a six hour rain delay at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas on Friday. After advancing four to the NCAA Championships on Thursday, the Huskers added five more bids on the second day of competition.

Shawnice Williams was the first Husker of the day to advance to the NCAA Championships with a stellar personal-best time of 2:05.26 in the 800 meters. Her mark held up as one of the top three times after the automatic qualifiers, advancing her to the next round in Eugene. Her time ranks fifth all-time at Nebraska.

The Huskers advanced two in the men’s 400-meter hurdles as Miles Ukaoma led the way with a heat-winning season-best time of 49.95. Jodi-Rae Blackwood advanced on time, posting a fourth-place finish in his heat with a personal-best clip of 50.16.

After earning a berth at the NCAA Championships in the discus yesterday, Chad Wright added another event to his slate as he posted a fifth-place finish in the men’s shot put. Wright used a throw of 62-0 ¼ (18.90) on his fourth attempt of the competition to secure his spot in Eugene.

Jessica Furlan also earned a chance to compete at the NCAA Championships. She finished first in her heat of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, posting a time of 10:00.89 to automatically advance.

Oladapo Akinmoladun advanced to tomorrow’s quarterfinal in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, posting a season-best time of 14.17. Ricco Hall and Dexter McKenzie also advanced to tomorrow’s quarterfinal in the men’s 200 meters. Hall finished second in his heat with a time of 21.19, while McKenzie was second in his heat with a clip of 21.14.

The Huskers return to the track tomorrow for the final day of action at the NCAA West Preliminary Round. Craig Driver will begin the day for NU in the pole vault at 1 p.m., while the men’s 4x100-meter relay team will hit the track at 6:15 p.m. The last event is scheduled for 9:45 p.m.